MAKE: PEPPER WREATH RISTRAS

i was walking around the sunday farmer's market yesterday morning in our old beloved town to pick up some leeks to make vichyssoise  and a few other things for this week when i happened upon a dried wreath booth that truly took my breath away. among some of the wreaths were strands of chili peppers and garlic, or "ristras" as they're known in mexico. while beautiful, the price tag was a bit steep ($60+) and i figured i could just make them my own for ninety percent less and perhaps make a bunch as gifts this christmas.

honestly, it doesn't take much to inspire me. yesterday, it just so happened to be garlic and peppers.

afterwards, i headed to a mexican market to get my peppers + garlic, and let me tell you - a giant bag of chili peppers costs less than two dollars! and fresh garlic cloves were less than a dollar a pound! you can't beat those prices, especially when using them to make a beautiful craft that will last for practically ever.

i have made three strands so far. one with red chili peppers + garlic. one with large dark purple chili peppers, garlic + eucalyptus (which i found on our walk around the neighborhood). and one with chili peppers + dried flowers (hydrangeas, mums, and purple stock) + wheat. i love the dried flower and pepper one the most because it

anyways, on to the tutorial! i didn't google how to make these, and i am sure there a million ways that are far more professional, but i just did what came naturally and made the most sense.

supplies:

a bag of chili peppers (found at any mexican market)

garlic cloves 

dried flowers

wheat

eucalyptus 

bay leaves (optional)

twine

scissors

needle (large enough for twine to go through)

corn husk (i just took it off of some indian corn i had already)

directions:

*warning: make sure you do this project away from children. the chili peppers break easily and their seeds can disperse all over the place. and they are hot! and make sure not to touch your eyes (i made that mistake a few times).

start by cutting your twine in the length that you prefer. tie a sturdy knot at the end and start "sewing" in your ingredients in whatever order you like. i started with garlic on the bottom (simply insert needle on the side, your needle may not be large enough to go to the center) and then "sew" in your peppers (i like to stack them on the needle then gently pull them down). the peppers will naturally go every which way which makes it really beautiful once all together. after you have about forty or so peppers, add in either another piece of garlic or dried flower and then continue with more peppers. 

at the end, add your corn husks as a pretty topper. you can even tie it into a bow! after the husks, make a sturdy knotted loop so it can hang.

that's it!